WGI CEO David Wantman proudly announces that national thought leader Lisa Nisenson joined the firm as vice president of new mobility and connected communities.

This addition to the team solidifies WGI’s leadership in helping communities harness the benefits of emerging mobility options and smart/connected city technology.

“Lisa is a national leader in emerging planning technologies and innovations — from green infrastructure to transit-oriented development. Her background in sustainable community design further confirms WGI’s commitment to successful placemaking that is supported by smart-city technology and emerging transportation options such as shared-use mobility and autonomous vehicles. Adding this resource to WGI is part of our strategic plan,” says Michael Davis, WGI senior vice president and chief strategy officer.

Lisa’s experience spans work in the private, non-profit, and public sectors, including federal and local government agencies. At the United States Environmental Protection Agency, she developed pioneering policy for sustainable community design, including guides and regulatory support for low-impact development and redevelopment. She brings a practical approach to helping clients through new planning methods, interactive public engagement, zoning-code reform, and best practices that deliver multiple benefits.

WGI clients are aware of both the potential, and challenges, associated with technology related disruption and change. Lisa helps demystify trends, engaging clients to develop both long-range scenarios and near-term roadmaps. This helps cities of all sizes incorporate new technology into existing planning efforts while anticipating potential and probable changes in transportation and land use.

Lisa serves on national workgroups creating new models for future-proofing planning, policy, and project design. She has conducted national training in smart-city technology, as well as courses on First-Last Mile access to transit and corridor planning. As a board member of the Consortium for Scenario Planning, she is developing sample scopes of work to help communities and clients easily procure next-generation planning models. She is also working on research projects to develop checklists for autonomous vehicle pilot projects through the Transportation Cooperative Research Board and the American Planning Association.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa through Smart City Works. She is an extraordinarily talented and visionary thinker. With her expertise, we will be able to help cities better plan and position for the future using technology to leverage efficiency and effectiveness,” says WGI President Greg Sauter.

As an example, Lisa worked with clients on better understanding future parking needs. Demand for parking is changing with new housing preferences and office space design. Technology such as ride-hailing phone apps and e-commerce are changing parking, streets, and curbside management. WGI’s Parking Solutions Division is already adopting a parking ecosystem approach, helping clients wisely invest in infrastructure while adapting to the range of ways residents, workers, and visitors move in the future – part of New Mobility.

Lisa will be working from WGI’s South Florida headquarters on the strategy team. In her role, she will work with all WGI service lines, including transportation, planning, geospatial and parking. She will work closely with WGI’s urban and community planning team and continue to provide thought leadership on emerging technology, sustainability, and resilient community design, helping clients get in front of rapid change.